Effect of different chemicals on the shelf life of Nagpur mandarin orange

Abstract

Citrus is an important fruit crop in the world for fresh fruits owing to its relatively long storage life. The experiment was conducted during of 2009-2010 in the laboratory Department of Horticulture, BAU, Kanke, Ranchi. The objectives of the present studies were to enhance the shelf life of Nagpur Mandarin oranges under ambient storage condition by treating them in different chemicals at different concentration. It is concluded that among different levels of different treatment evaluated in the experiment for short term storage, treatment with 1 per cent citric acid was best in controlling penicillium attack while treatment with KMS 1000 ppm followed by sodium benzoate 2000 ppm was found suitable throughout the storage life of 40 days.